To ask what’s the best decision you’ve ever made?

[Thispinks]

Some positive thoughts! It’s easy for us to think about what we’ve done wrong or could have done differently. But we’ve made some great decisions in our lives too! What are they? x

Stopped working in IT, retrained in horticulture and became a professional gardener. I remind myself often that I could be stuck in front of a computer in some grotty office, but here I am in a lovely garden miles from anywhere. It's wonderful.

When DC left home, I ditched the big house and mortgage and bought a smaller house, mortgage free, aged 46, in an area I didn't know nor know a soul.

I've never been happier!

To go back to work while my children were small.

To study for, and gain a qualification that enabled me to be financially independent and divorce my Ex

Walked into a yoga class at the gym when I was 26. 18 years later and I’m still practising yoga 5/6 days each week. Changed my life completely and for the better!

Gave up alcohol. It was spiralling out of control 8 years ago, I was drinking 2 bottles of wine a night, every night.
I did it on my own and I'm very proud.
I can never drink again, that saddens me but I know if I ever drank again a. I would end up dead or b. DH would leave me.

Marrying the right man. I left a boyfriend who was off the charts good looking and charming, we had incredible sex etc but he was also a cheat.
He wanted me back.
I chose DH. Seeing how life has turned out since, I chose wisely.

Working Part time as DD4 grows up. I speak to people all the time who tell me things like "I pick kid up at 6, and we're not home til 6:45, then it's bath and bed" or "I haven't got time to take kid to swimming in the week, we have to cram it in at the weekend" that kind of thing. Yes, we'd be wealthier in money terms, and maybe even go on "nicer" holidays, have a newer car etc. but you can't buy the time back that you've missed with your kids.

I left my home country to study for a PHD and this led to many other adventures. If I didn't go I would still be wondering what if and living a limited life

To trust my instincts and take a chance on my partner. It wouldn’t have looked like a good idea from the outside and I would have got 100% YABU if i’d put it to a vote. But ten years on he’s proved himself worth the gamble a thousand times over.

To get divorced. So much happier in my own life, even owning my own mistakes. Don't regret trying in marriage, took my vows seriously but...never again!

Do join a dating app. I didn’t think it would lead to anything but I met my DH on there and he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

I love this thread!!! Well done for creating it, get the positivity flowing!

I am so glad that I ditched my "must be over 6 ft" criteria the night before a first date 8 yrs ago, when I met the most amazing man, fell in love and got married last year.

I am so glad that I have got rid of anyone that I felt was dragging me down, toxic, drama llamas, energy vampires, Anyone that consistently impacts my environment - snip snip. (I don't mean I don't help friends, I mean I snip the toxic).

I am so glad that I no longer care what other people think of my life and my choices; I do not base my happiness on the validation of others, such a freeing feeling.

I take happiness where I can find it, sunny day! Flowering daisy? Pooch wanting a belly rub? small bites of happiness increase the overall feelings.

I look at the positive, don't focus on negative. I try to find & recognise where I can make a difference and don't dwell where I can't make a difference. Accept that stuff and make steps to change. Don't just dwell. Small steps make a difference.

Not being a SAHM when I could have been and would have liked to be. 25 years on, I'm single and have a career that can support me in a very nice lifestyle. If I'd taken a long break I doubt I'd be where I am now.

Agree with this. I went back when my DD was one and for about a year I agonised over whether to quit work for the usual reasons for a bit and actually drafted a resignation letter. Three years later I had to boot my then husband out.

I would have been royally screwed if I had stopped working. As it is my career took off and I can now provide for my DD without worrying about someone else’s income, their reliability and their general moral. And I have made far more money than if I were tied down to someone who believed my place was at home (but wasn’t prepared to pay for it).

It’s been hard and exhausting but there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t say a little prayer of gratitude that I didn’t stop work.

That I would keep active and going to the gym, week in, week out, forever, even though it's not much fun. Its starting to pay off in my 50's.

To work part time from when DD was tiny to when she went to secondary school. It kept me in the workplace and sane but also gave me lots of time with DD.

Yes this.
From four and five months each time pt.
Over twenty years on and never a single regret.

Leaving my ex

To up sticks and leave a dv partner with only the clothes on my sons and I back..no family to help us. No money. A domestic violence organisation helped me get a council house. I got a new (good pay) job the day after I moved in. Slowly our life became great again.

Marrying DH.

Also, not trusting doctors (saved my life and DS's life).

Going to rehab. I've been sober for 35 years now and all the good things in my life come from that decision.

Not gone to uni. I was so, so close to going, but deciding not to led me down a career path that brings me constant joy every day. If I had a degree, I think I'd have had a "safe" career and wouldn't have been brave/foolish enough to chase the arty career I have now.

Getting divorced

Not a single day of regret although it has been tough at times.

This is a brilliant thread, I really don’t know what the best decision I made was.

Starting horse riding when I was 8, I don’t regret a moment of my youth spent with horses.